Mike Crapo apologizes after DUI arrest

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued a public apology after being arrested for drunken driving in Alexandria, Va., early Sunday morning.

Jody Donaldson, a spokesperson for the Alexandria Police Department, said in an e-mail that Crapo was arrested at 12:45 a.m. Sunday. An Alexandria police officer noticed Crapo’s vehicle run through a red traffic light, and after the vehicle was stopped, the officer conducted field sobriety tests, which Crapo failed, Donaldson said. Crapo was arrested for driving under the influence, and taken into custody without incident, Donaldson said.

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In a statement, Crapo apologized for his actions.

“I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance,” Crapo said. “I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter.

“I will also undertake measures to ensure that this circumstance is never repeated.”

Police said the senator’s blood-alcohol level was .110. In Virginia, drivers at .08 or higher are considered intoxicated.

He was released on $1,000 bond, and has a court date scheduled for Jan. 4.

The 61-year-old Republican is serving his third term in the U.S. Senate. Crapo is Mormon, and has said publicly that he abstains from alcohol.

Over 10k people per year die in alcohol related crashes. Republican, Democrat, independent or what have you - there is never an excuse for drunk driving and I believe that it should come with mandatory jail time. As far as electoral consequences, Crapo's not up for re-election until 2016, so I doubt that this will have too much staying power.

Sen. Crapo has no excuse and has certainly disappointed not only his family and friends but his constituents. Hopefully he will be able to do some serious soul-searching and pull his personal life together.

However, I find it incredibly ironic that we have a number of people commenting and being more than happy to be judge and jury as they throw aspersions not only on the senator but conservatives in general. Perhaps you people should pull your heads out and not make blanket condemnations about a whole group of people (in this case conservatives) as it just shows your own narrow-minded bigotry and ignorance.

Speaking of ignorance, hey thetalkingmonkey, guess what brilliance, the name is pronounced with a hard A, not a soft one.